NFL: Giants, Obama look forward to repeating

Associated Press

President Barack Obama and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin share the same goal - getting back to the White House next year.

In his speech, Coughlin injected some political references for a president in the heart of a reelection campaign.

"We both have a goal to get back here next year. We have a lot of work to do," Coughlin said. The Giants won four postseason games, capped by a 21-17 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

The team presented Obama with a blue No. 44 jersey and a football signed by the players.

Gronk cashes in

All-pro Rob Gronkowski agreed Friday to a $54 million deal with the New England Patriots, the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history.

The six-year deal includes $18.17 million guaranteed. It is a stunning move by the team for a player entering just his third NFL season, but the Patriots recognized the game-breaking skills of the record-setting Gronkowski.

Gronkowski, 23, set a league record for the position with 17 touchdown catches in 2011. He also had a record 1,327 yards, and made 90 receptions.

Gronkowski is coming off left ankle surgery, an injury that slowed him in New England's loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Brown to Chargers

Running back Ronnie Brown signed a one-year deal with San Diego, where he will serve as the primary backup to Ryan Mathews. Brown, the second overall pick in 2005 by the Miami Dolphins, spent last season with the Eagles, finishing with just 136 yards and committing an epic fumble that seemed to sum up the Birds' dismal season.

Saints hire ex-FBI chief

The New Orleans Saints have hired a firm run by former FBI director Louis Freeh to conduct an internal investigation of the NFL club with the aim of getting to the bottom of allegations ranging from wiretapping during games in the Superdome to the bounty scandal.

The Freeh Group's initial focus is expected to be on wiretapping allegations currently under investigation jointly by the Louisiana state police and the FBI.

Those allegations, which the Saints have vociferously denied, first surfaced in a report by ESPN that cited anonymous sources. The report stated that general manager Mickey Loomis had the ability to eavesdrop on opposing coaches' radio communications from his box on the Superdome press level.